Public Health minister Jane Ellison made the announcement in the Commons following growing public debate about rising numbers of cases of the condition, which can cause neurological damage and crushing fatigue.

The bacterial infection is carried by infected ticks which are usually found in woodlands.

'I'm pleased to say the Department plans to commission three reviews on the diagnosis, the treatment and the transmission of Lyme disease to inform future decision making'Jane Ellison, Public Health Minister

Experts believe cases are rising as a result of changes in Britain’s climate, with warmer winters prolonging the lives of ticks which host the bacteria, increasing numbers of housing developments in rural areas, and immigration from countries where it is more common.

A number of those diagnosed with the disease have raised fears that the infection could be transmitted between humans, a theory which has been discounted by most specialists in the field.

Many sufferers say they have struggled to get a diagnosis, leading to long delays receiving treatment for the condition.

The new reviews overseen by the Government Chief Scientific Advisor will examine diagnosis, treatment and transmission of disease.

In addition, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence will draw up guidelines setting out the care that those diagnosed with the condition should receive, in 2018.

The number of confirmed cases has quadrupled in just 12 years, with more 1,100 people diagnosed in 2013, the most recent year for which numbers are available.

The announcement came after Conservative MP Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) spoke about a constituent who was struck down with a debilitating illness several years ago, which resembled Lyme disease, but had yet to be diagnosed.

Ms Ellison said: "Lyme disease is a complex infection so we recognise that there are real challenges in diagnosis and treatment and in the light of this I'm pleased to say the Department plans to commission three reviews on the diagnosis, the treatment and the transmission of Lyme disease to inform future decision making."

She added: "In addition to the reviews that the Chief Scientific Adviser is overseeing we've actually also commissioned Nice to develop a new evidence-based guideline for care, precisely to respond to the sort of situation he describes with his constituent and that's for publication in 2018 and it's being prioritised because of the interest in this area."

Experts say tick populations have increased by 17 per cent in the past decade, resulting in a dramatic rise in tickborne diseases.

Lyme disease cases in pets have grown more than fivefold since 2009, according to the vetinerary charity PDSA.

Last year John Caudwell, the billionaire founder of Phones4U accused the NHS and Government of “negligence” for failing to properly investigate the “public health scandal”.